Recent Logan lawsuits

Debbie Rolen Staff Writer

September 10, 2013

The W.Va. State Record has posted stories about lawsuits involving Logan County. Two are listed below.

A former CSX Transportation engineer has filed suit against the company, claiming he suffers from bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to job-related tasks.Paul Rakes filed suit Feb. 13 in Circuit Court of Logan County against CSX Transportation Inc. citing the Federal Employers Liability Act.According to the court document, the complainant was an engineer employed by CSX from 1981 to 2011, and his duties required him to use his hands in repetitive and stressful motions and grasping on a daily basis.He contends that as a result, he suffers from bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, which has caused pain of body and mind and loss of normal enjoyment of life.The plaintiff demands a jury trial and asks for an amount that will compensate him for his injuries and damages, as well as costs.Rakes is represented by Donald C. Wandling of Avis, Witten and Wandling law firm.Circuit Court of Logan County Case No. 13-C-60.

General Motors is facing a lawsuit from John Browning,who says the manufacturer didn’t honor its warranty on a Buick Verano he purchased from Thornhill GM Superstore in Chapmanville.Browning filed suit Jan. 2 in Circuit Court of Logan County against General Motors, saying his Verano’s defects, which weren’t corrected after numerous trips to the dealership, should’ve been covered under the car’s warranty.According to the court document, Browning purchased a 2012 Buick Verano from Thornhill Superstore for $22,000 on March 19, 2012. Browning says the car had a manufacturer-issued bumper-to-bumper warranty for four years or 50,000 miles.Browning says he took car to the dealership on numerous occasions for issues such as a roaring noise due to defective tires or wheels and a faulty electrical system, among other complaints. The complainant contends that after a number of attempts, he lost confidence in the dealership’s ability to repair the defects and questioned the vehicle’s safety and reliability.The plaintiff contends that as a direct result of GM’s failure to comply with its written warranty, he has suffered damages and in accordance with the Magnuson-Mass Warranty Act, seeks judgment against the manufacturer for the loss in value of his Verano, costs to repair the vehicle, attorney fees, witness fees and court costs.Browning is represented by Michael S. Bailey of Bailey and Howard.